Lafayette man leaves the scene of a crash and is arrested

CLINTON CO. – On Monday, April 3, just before 6:00 p.m., Indiana State Police Radio Region 1 Dispatch received a 911 call of a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 65 southbound near the 161-mile marker. Dispatch received further information that one of the vehicles left the scene of the crash and was at State Road 28 near Interstate 65.

Trooper McQueary located a 2020 Honda Accord that was stopped in the road on the southbound exit ramp from Interstate 65 to State Road 28. The Honda matched the description of the vehicle that left the scene of the crash. The driver of the Honda was later identified to be Andy Salazar, 30, from Lafayette, IN.

While Trooper McQueary was talking to Salazar, he attempted to flee in his vehicle but stopped due to damage from the crash. Troopers then began to give Salazar verbal commands to exit the vehicle, but he did not. Salazar attempted to flee again and went through the median between the exit ramp and Interstate 65. The Honda got stuck in the median, and Salazar attempted to flee on foot toward Interstate 65. Trooper McQueary deployed his TASER, which struck Salazar. Once Salazar was taken into custody, troopers requested EMS. Salazar was transported by EMS to a Frankfort area hospital. 

While on scene and at the hospital, troopers observed signs of impairment. At the hospital, Salazar consented to a certified test. Salazar was administered a certified test, and those results are pending. Salazar was released from the hospital and was transported to Clinton County Jail on charges of resisting arrest, operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangerment, aggressive driving, reckless driving, OWI, and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

The other driver was uninjured in the crash. 

Trooper McQueary was assisted on the scene by troopers from the Lafayette Post, Clinton County EMS, and Jim’s Garage.